The Creation of a Jewish Homeland: A Two Thousand Year Struggle

Essay by colorblindHigh School, 11th gradeA+, April 2004

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While the independent nation of Israel was officially created in 1948, the foundation for the creation of a Jewish homeland can be traced as far back as two thousand years ago. During this period, AD 47, Israel was called Judea and it was governed by a Roman governor, who was concerned strictly with Roman interests, as it had become a province of the Roman was being . While under Roman occupation, the Jewish people were allowed to practice Judaism, but at the same time they experienced countless acts of intolerance and discrimination at the hands of the Romans. This combination of having the freedom to practice their religion but at the same time being discriminated against because of their religious beliefs was the impetus for a growing awareness of Jewish nationalism and the desire for the creation of their own Jewish homeland.

In 66 AD, the desire for independence from Rome became so great that the Jewish people started what were later to be called the Jewish Wars as they revolted against Roman authority.

This revolt is considered to be one of the most significant proceedings in Jewish history. Motivated by the ignorance and discrimination of the Roman government a rebellious Jewish cult named the Zealots and many of their followers began to rebel against their foreign occupiers by creating riots. The intensity of the revolt was exasperated by the teachings of many Jewish prophets which preached the divine deliverance of Israel. Many of the poor relied heavily on the Messianic Hope which not only expressed anti-Roman sentiment and encouraged Jewish autonomy but also foretold a reversal in roles between the Romans and the Jews. No other group of people had such a great religious desire for independence and the Roman government was not quick to realize that they had...